Flying toy



P. GRIBBEN Dec. 9, 1958 FLYING TOY Filed Nov. 5, 1956 INVENTOR. PATRICK GRIBBEN Ill! l li FLYING TOY Patrick Gribben, Woodside, N. Y. Application November 5, 1956, Serial No. 620,364

1 Claim. (Cl. 46-83) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in flying toys.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of an improved helicopter toy having a propeller with a notched leading edge adjacent one blade tip and a cord with a loop at one end removably to fit over the blade tip and releasably to fit in the notch for spinning the propeller into launched flight.

As a further object, the invention proposes forming the helicopter toy with a tubular winding member adapted rotatably to fit on the tapered spindle shank of a launching handle and with a propeller seating flange.

Still another object of the invention proposes constructing the propeller seating flange of the tubular winding member with a recess to seat the hub and root of the propeller blades.

Another object of the invention proposes forming the helicopter toy with quick release clamp means on the handle rotatably to hold the tubular winding member on the spindle shank.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a side view, with parts broken away and in section, of a helicopter toy constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the propeller.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another tubular winding member illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of another tubular winding member illustrating another modification.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. l but illustrating still another modification.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the helicopter top in the first form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is designated generally by the reference numeral 15.

Helicopter toy 15 has a handle 16 which preferably is cylindrical and may be of wood, plastic, metal or other material. At one end of handle 16 is an extended spindle shank 17 having an outwardly tapered tip portion 18. The shank 17 is of smaller diameter than the handle resulting in a ledge or bearing abutment 19.

A tubular winding member 20 with a bore 21 of larger diameter than the spindle shank 17 rotatably and removably fits over the shank for mounting on the shank and resting on the handle ledge 19. Member 20 has an outer or upper flange 22 for seating a propeller 23.

Propeller 23 has a hub 24 with a bore 25 larger in diameter than the tapered tip portion 18 of shank 17 and slidably, rotatably and freely removably fits on the tapered tip portion 18 and rests on the flange 22 of the ited States Patent 0 ICC tubular winding member 20. Only the hub and the root of each blade rests on the flange 22.

Propeller 23 also has a leading edge 26 and a trailing edge 26 on one blade with a spinning notch 27 on the trailing edge for a launching cord 28.

Launching cord 28 has a loop 29 at one end releasably to fit over the blade tip adjacent the launching notch 27 and in the launching notch. The remainder of the launching cord is adapted to be Wound around the tubular winding member with a free end of the launching cord extending from the member for rotating the member and spinning the propeller into launched flight.

Operation of the toy is simple. The tubular winding member is placed on the spindle shank and the propeller placed on top of it on the tapered end of the shank. The loop of the launching cord is slipped over the blade tip adjacent the launching notch and into the launching notch. The launching cord is wound around the tubular winding member in spiral fashion toward the handle with a free end extending beyond the winding member. While the handle is held in one hand the free end of the launching cord is pulled with the other to rotate the winding member and spin the propeller. The loop slips oil the blade tip of the propeller as the propeller spins and the propeller takes ofi into free flight.

The modification of the invention shown by Fig. 3 is characterized by the provision of a tubular winding member 30 which is a spool having end flanges 31 and 32 and a bore 33. One end flange rotatably abuts a handle ledge and the other provides a rest and launching platform for the propeller.

The modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is characterized by the provision of a tubular winding member 35 having a flange 36 at one end with a propeller seating recess 37 removably to seat and hold the hub and blade roots of a propeller.

The modification of the invention illustrated by Fig. 6 is characterized by the provision of a handle 40 having a spindle shank 41 rotatably to hold a tubular winding member 42. The Winding member 42 has flanges 43 and 44 at each end and a pair of releasable clamps 45 and 46 rotatably hold the Winding member on the shank 41 by engaging the lower or inner flange 44. Clamps 45 and 46 are identical, each having a roller 47 at the free end of their spring arms engaging the flange 44 of the spool and each having one end of their spring arms fixed, as by rivets 48, to the handle 40.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A helicopter toy comprising a launching handle with an extended spindle shank, a propeller having a hub rotatably and freely removably mounted on the shank, a tubular winding member rotatably mounted. on the shank between the handle and the propeller, said Winding member having end flanges said propeller having a trailing edge with a spinning notch, and launching means releasably. to engage in said notch and encircle the tubular winding member for rotating said member and spinning the propeller into launched flight from the shank, one end flange of said tubular Winding member having a propeller seating recess removably to hold the propeller, and a releasable clamp rotatably to hold the tubular winding member on the shank, said clamp including opposed spring fingers on the handle and rollers on the free 1,681,524 Duchesneau Aug. 21, 1928 ends of the fingers engaging the other flange of the Wind- 1,914,076 Chase June 13, 1933 ing member. 1,980,601 Stickel Nov. 13, 1934 2,410,726 Friedman Nov. 5, 1946 References Cited in the file of this pat nt 5 2,448,844 Throsel Sept. 7, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENTS FO G A E 1, 2, 2 Pi r n- 1927 05,92 Switzerland 1939 1,622,289 Nelson Mar. 29, 1927 

